A GUIDE TO WRITING AT GTI It Starts Here Your Future,

GALWAY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION Fr. Griffin Road, Claddagh, Galway G A L W A Y

T E C H N I C A L

I N S T I T U T E

Your Fut

It St

A GUIDE TO WRITING AT GTI

Galway Technical Institute

Introduction ‘Write something worth reading or do something worth writing about’

As a student at GTI, you will be required to produce a range of assessment material in order to graduate in your specific chosen course. Much of this assessment material may have to be submitted in written form. For many students, young and not so young, the challenge of writing can be the most difficult aspect of any programme. This booklet is designed in order to help you get started with the task of writing. There are a lot of useful tools and guidance templates which you will find helpful as you build and develop your writing skills with confidence during your time here with us.

Benjamin Franklin

The ability to represent yourself well on paper may help you secure a job or progress with confidence to third level education when you leave GTI. You will be more attentive to the quality and presentation of your written work as writing skills will help you develop communication, clarity and professionalism. For these reasons, written assignments and projects on your course are designed to help you develop your writing skills. Time will be spent in class on proof reading and editing activities in order to help you become a critical writer of your own created written work.

Writing is a skill you will need all through your life and we believe that nurturing this skill is as important as any other skill you will develop and cultivate in your specific chosen course.

A Guide to Writing at GTI - 1

FETAC Glossary of Assessment Instruments used at GTI for work submitted by learners Assignment An exercise carried out in response to a brief with specific guidelines. The brief includes specific guidelines for learners. Assignments may be specified as a written piece of work, an oral presentation, case study, observations, or have a detailed title such as audition piece, health fitness plan or investigation into vocational area profile.

Collection / Portfolio of Work A collection of pieces of work produced by learners over a period of time that demonstrates the mastery of skills and knowledge of learning outcomes. Using guidelines provided by your tutor, learners compile a collection of their own work. The collection of work demonstrates evidence of a range of specific learning outcomes or skills. The evidence may be produced in a range of conditions, such as in the practical learning environment of the classroom. Examples of this type of evidence include Art Portfolios, Fashion and styling portfolio, Media, Construction and Applied Health events.

Examination A means of assessing a learner’s ability to recall and apply skills, knowledge and understanding within a set period of time (time constrained) and under clearly specified conditions. Examinations may be practical, assessing the mastery of specified practical skills demonstrated in a set period of time under restricted conditions: oral, interview-style, assessing learning through verbal questioning, on one-to-one/group basis, aural, testing, listening and interpretation skills · theory-based, assessing the learner’s ability to recall and apply theory, requiring responses to a range of question types, such as objective, short answer, structured or essay style answers. Some modules on your course will require you to write for examination purposes.

Learner Record A self-reported record by an individual, in which he/she describes specific learning experiences, activities, responses, skills acquired. Learners compile a personal logbook/journal/diary/daily diary/record/laboratory notebook/sketch book. This will cover specified aspects of the learner’s experience to include personal reflective learning during the programme. Examples of this may include Healthcare and Nursing work, Sport and Leisure events, Fashion, Art & Beauty work.

2 - A Guide to Writing at GTI

Project A substantial individual or group response to a brief with guidelines usually carried out over a period of time. Projects may involve: research – requiring individual/group investigation of a topic, theme or process – eg design, performance, production of an artefact/event. Projects will be based on a brief provided by the internal assessor. The brief will include broad guidelines for the learner. The work will be carried out over a specified period of time. Projects may be undertaken as a group or collaborative project; however the individual contribution of each learner must be clearly identified. You will find this type of assessment across the 8 course areas of study at GTI.

Skills Demonstration Assessment of mastery of specified practical, organisational and/or interpersonal skills These skills are assessed at any time throughout the learning process by the internal assessor/ another qualified person in the centre for whom the learner undertakes relevant tasks. The Skills may be demonstrated in a range of conditions, such as in the learning environment, in a roleplay exercise, or in real-life/work situations. The learner may submit a written report/supporting documentation as part of the assessment. Examples of skills: Music and Media Skills, Computer Skills, Soccer and Coaching Skills, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Fashion or Furniture Making Skills, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Skills, Construction Skills, Nursing Skills, Massage and Reflexology Skills. All 8 areas of learning at GTI requires the learner to develop competence in skills development. Writing about this development is a skill in itself.

A Guide to Writing at GTI - 3

Instruction words commonly used for assignments, reports, exams and projects. Account ( give an ) Describe Account for

Give reasons for

Analyse

Give an organised answer looking at all aspects

Apply

Put a theory into operation

Assess

Decide on value / importance

Comment on

Give your opinion

Compare (with)

Discuss similarities, draw conclusions

Compile

Make up a list, plan, outline

Consider

Describe / give your views on subject

Contrast

Discuss differences or draw own view

Criticise

Point out weak / strong points ( balanced answer)

Define

Give the meaning of a term

Demonstrate

Show by example / evidence

Describe

Outline the process / appearance / operation / sequence

Devise

Put a plan in place

Discuss

Give own thoughts with supporting opinion and conclusion

Evaluate

Decide on merit of situation / argument

Exemplify

Show by giving examples

Expand

Give more information

Explain how

Describe how something works

Identify

Pinpoint / list

Illustrate

Give examples

Indicate

Point out

Integrate

Bring together several concepts or points of view into a coherent account

Justify

Support the argument for..

List

Make an organised list eg events, process

Outline

Describe basic factors / limited information

Plan

Think how to organise something

Report

Make an account on process / event /

Review

Write report / give facts and views on facts

Show

Demonstrate with supporting evidence

Specify

Give details of something

State

Give a clear account of

Summarise

Briefly give an account

Trace

Provide chronology of events / process

Work out

Find a solution for / maths problem

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Your project at a glance Table of Contents

Aims

Aims

.

Introduction

.

Chapter 1

.

Module Title

2

.

Exam No.

3

.

Name

Recommendations

.

Conclusion

.

Bibliography

.

GTI Assessment Identifier

Project Title

Award Title

An Investigation into….

Module Code

Appendices

Introduction

Chapter 1

2

3

Recommendations

Conclusion

Bibliography

Appendices

.

Leaflets

.

Brochures

.

Maps

.

Photos

.

Supporting evidence

A Guide to Writing at GTI - 5

List of Power Verbs which are useful for writing aims To investigate

To compare

To state

To arrange

To record

To plan

To identify

To carry out

To describe

To assemble

To recognise

To prepare

To discuss

To construct

To define

To propose

To indicate

To start

To explain

To elaborate

To outline

To organise

To make observations

To design

To demonstrate

To develop

To discover

To assess

To examine

To evaluate

To discover

To measure

To categorise

To produce

To distinguish

To create

6 - A Guide to Writing at GTI

The Introduction The introduction should invite and inspire the reader to continue reading your work. It establishes the importance of your project and offers an outline of the writing structure. It introduces the reader to the main ideas you will write about and offers the reader an indication of what is involved in the project.

Sample Sentences Sample sentences to start an introduction • In this project the reader plans to investigate the issue of ….. • This project will describe in detail … • It is widely recognised that X……. • X has significant importance and relevance in the modern world…..this project will explore some of the reasons why…….. • X impacts on all of us at some stage of life……This project will examine some of the main influences….. • This project will focus on/examine/give an account of ...... • This project seeks to address the following questions: • This project critically examines / traces / discusses • The purpose of this project is to review recent research into the • The aim of this project is to determine / examine / assess the impact of / evaluate / analyse

An Introduction can also offer the outline of your writing structure This project has been divided into four parts. The first part examines / describes / • The project has been organised in the following way… • Firstly the project will offer a brief / recent overview / history of X In the second section of the project I will describe / elaborate on • Thirdly I will evaluate / assess / investigate the impact of…. • Lastly / finally / In the final section I will …. In conclusion I will offer / propose a list / suggest a list of recommendations in relation to improving services in….

A Guide to Writing at GTI - 7

The Conclusion The main function of a conclusion is to sum up the main ideas of your project. It should be written in a concise, clear and coherent manner so that it allows the reader to believe there is a unity and holistic nature to your project – it has a beginning, middle and an end. It should not introduce new ideas as this is not the function of a conclusion. It serves as a reminder of what has been written.

Summarising the content This project has explained the central importance of X in Y. This project has investigated ...... I believe I have demonstrated my understanding of ….. It is clear from my research into X that …. These findings enhance my understanding of…

Restatement of aims This project set out to determine ...... The project was designed to determine the effect of ....... In this investigation, the aim was to assess ...... The purpose of the current study was to determine ...... This project was undertaken to design ...... and evaluate ..... Returning to the hypothesis/question posed at the beginning of this project, it is now possible to state that .....

Summarising the findings This study has shown that ...... This study has found that generally ....... The following conclusions can be drawn from the present study ...... The relevance of X is clearly supported by my research and investigation. This study/research has shown that ...... The second major finding was that ........ The results of this investigation show that .......

8 - A Guide to Writing at GTI

Paragraphing and how it works A paragraph is a group of sentences organized around one central idea in your writing.. A solidly written paragraph takes its readers on a clear path. There are four key elements of a healthy paragraph • Unity • Order • Coherence • Completeness

Unity Unity in a paragraph begins with the topic sentence. Every paragraph has one single, central idea that is expressed in the first sentence. A paragraph is unified around this main idea, with the supporting sentences providing detail and discussion and evidence to support the main idea running in your paragraph.

Order Order refers to the way you organize the supporting sentences in your paragraph. A solid paragraph always has a definite organization and a logical flow. In a well-ordered paragraph, the reader follows along easily, aided by the carefully constructed sentences you have written. Order helps the reader to understand your ideas better and without confusion.

Coherence Coherence is the quality that makes your writing understandable and allows your tutor to recognise the readability factor with ease. Sentences within a paragraph need to connect to each other and work together as a unit. One of the best ways to achieve coherency is to use transition words. These words create links from one sentence to the next.

Completeness Completeness means a paragraph is welldeveloped. If all sentences clearly and sufficiently support the main idea at the beginning of your paragraph, then your paragraph is complete.

Some linking words and phrases you can use to move onto new paragraph To add a point

• In addition, ... • Similarly, ... • Moreover, ... • Furthermore, ...

To contrast two points

• However, ... • On the other hand ... ; • Nevertheless, ... • In contrast, ...

To illustrate, or to give an example

• For example,... • Clearly, ... • In order to further explain this • As we can see

To move on to the next point

• Then, ... • After this / that ... • Subsequently, .. • Following on from this.

To note consequences

• Therefore, ... • As a result, ... • Consequently, ... • Despite this.

A Guide to Writing at GTI - 9

Proof-reading and editing checklist for writing at GTI Ask yourself….

Solutions: where and how to check

Have I answered what is required?

Locate the places where this is obvious to the reader

Do I know how many marks are being awarded for this project?

Find out exactly how and where you can score marks for the project. Know your assessment criteria

Does the reader know what to expect from your project?

This should be clear from the outset

Is the structure clear and unambiguous?

Think about logical sequence of ideas

Is the information presented in the right order?

Note your introduction, main body and conclusion

Have you chosen appropriate points to include in your report?

‘Glance back’ to the project title, brief and instructions. Look at your project plans

Are your ideas / arguments well supported with evidence and examples?

Go through each point separately and make sure you have done this

Have you repeated yourself?

Read and reread your work

Do the paragraphs work together as a unit?

Look out for your signal words / linking words

Do your sentences make sense using correct grammar and punctuation?

Be thorough about this and check your work all the time

Is your style of writing formal?

Check that you haven’t put in abbreviations or slang words

Have I compiled my reference list appropriately?

Check that you have included all references

Is my report presented neatly?

Use good quality paper to submit your project

10 - A Guide to Writing at GTI

Formatting Requirements for Writing at GTI PAPER Normally, pages should be A4 in portrait format (rather than landscape). PROJECT 10% - Introduction, 80% -Main Body, 10% - Conclusion LINE SPACING Line spacing should be 1.5. Between paragraphs, double spacing allows the paragraphs to be visually distinct. LONGER QUOTES If you are using longer quotes, they should be indented and single spaced in order to highlight them. FONT & POINT SIZE The type-face should be 12-point in a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial. Headings should be Bold and point size 14 PAGE NUMBERING Page numbering should be included at the bottom of every page, except the title page if you are including one. HEADER & FOOTER Header Left = Project Title Header Right = Name & Class Footer Left = Exam Number (PPS Number) Footer Right = Page Number WORD COUNT Some assignment requirements may specify a prescribed word count. Sometimes you may be required to indicate the number of words on the title or cover page of your submitted work. Take careful note of the word count and any special advice regarding flexibility about the word count. PRINTING Printing of your assignments should be on white A4 paper and printed on only one side of the page.

A Guide to Writing at GTI - 11

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WRITING AT GTI

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12 - A Guide to Writing at GTI

G A L W A Y

T E C H N I C A L

I N S T I T U T E

Institiúid Teicniúil na Gaillimhe Fr Griffin Road, Claddagh, Galway, Ireland Tel: +353 (0)91 581342 Fax: +353 (0)91 589267 Email: [email protected] Web: www.gti.ie